Meet The Team:

Darren Grooms – CEO

Darren’s roles and responsibilities are to ensure that all operations of the company are in line with the company’s mission and vison. Darren oversees all of the company’s organisational operations while directing the company’s agenda.

Darren studied Quantity Surveying at Northumbria University part time during the start-up of the business, so he has good understanding of how to add value to the services we offer.

Darren is responsible for managing the company’s structure and ensuring the financial viability and financial structure behind the business. He continues to manage and nurture business investment.

Outside of work, he likes to spend time with his family. Darren enjoys football and will often be found in the North stand at Old Trafford on most Saturday afternoons. Darren is also a keen cyclist, as well as an Ambassador with Heel & Toe Children’s Charity here in the North East.

Neil Milburn – Managing Director

As Managing Director, Neil’s role within the business is to look after the all commercial and financial aspects of the company.

Neil joined the company straight out of college back in 2006 as a Trainee Quantity surveyor, studying part time over five years at Northumbria University. Neil has continued to grow with the company, and in more recent times has completed a Masters in Business Finance and Economics, which gives him a good understanding of all commercial aspects of the business.

Outside of work, Neil likes watching Sunderland AFC football with his Sunderland season tickets and enjoys playing golf.

He has recently raised money for the local charity Heel & Toe and enjoys hiking in his free time.

Andrew Scott – Project Director

Andrew joined the company in 2003 and is now Starkold’s Project Director. His role is to oversee all aspects of all projects.

Andrew’s overall responsibility is to ensure that projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to a high standard. He is also responsible for all aspects of the company’s Health and Safety.

Andrew enjoys football, is a lifelong Newcastle fan, and more recently has started to enjoy hiking. In Andrew’s younger years, he enjoyed all kinds of water sports, although he doesn’t get to do them as much now.

Anthony Maylett – Contracts Manager

Anthony is Starkold’s Contracts Manager, and he is based in Manchester.

Anthony’s roles and responsibilities are to look at potential future work for Starkold, visit all sites, and manage day-to-day operations across all projects.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching football, and managing junior football.

Ross Bainbridge – Operations Manager

Ross is Starkold’s Operations Manager, dealing predominantly with procurement and purchases. He is responsible for all warehouse activities and logistics management.

He joined Starkold in 2022, and his role includes overseeing the day-to-day operations across all of Starkold’s projects.

In Ross’s spare time, he likes to spend time with his son and family and enjoys playing golf.

Zoe Thexton – Resource Manager

Zoe is Starkold’s Resource Manager, and her role involves overseeing labour and multi-service work on sites.

Zoe joined the company in 2017 from a college placement with no prior experience in construction. Zoe completed her Business Administration apprenticeship and now has a critical role in the day-to-day running of all admin-based systems in connection with resource and Recruitment. Zoe is responsible for booking accommodations, processing wages, and monitoring overheads and profit relating to labour.

In her spare time, she likes to socialise with her friends and spend time with her family.

Chelsea Moody – Resource Assistant

Chelsea is Starkold’s Resource Assistant, and she joined the company in 2021. Her job includes looking after operatives on site, processing payrolls, and general administration.

Chelsea’s responsibilities are to book accommodations, process wages, and monitor overheads and profits relating to labour.

Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her family and friends and enjoys walking her dogs.

Leah & Kayla Turnbull – Finance Assistants

Kayla and Leah’s day-to-day roles include entering data, keeping all accounts up-to-date, creating invoices for customers, and paying suppliers.

They joined Starkold back in 2020, straight from college, and they have both completed AAT Level 2 qualifications and have almost completed Level 3.

Leah specifically deals with accounts payable and purchases, while Kayla deals with accounts receivable and sales.

Both girls enjoy socialising outside of work with their friends and family and keeping fit in the gym.

Amy Hailes – Environmental coordinator

Amy is Starkold’s Environmental coordinator and newest employee, having just started this year.

Her responsibilities are to ensure the company is complying with environmental standards by carrying out internal audits and monthly environmental reports, while also supporting the management team by arranging skips, road sweepers, etc, for current projects.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the gym, and taking many walks along the Derwent Riverside Park. Amy also volunteers for the Royal British Legion, especially on days like Remembrance Sunday.

Hannah Grooms – Apprentice

Hannah started working for Starkold in September 2022 and continues to work one day a week for her work placement. She has helped out within the finance department, and her role covers general admin and data input while also helping out with any other tasks that may be required throughout the office.

In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family and friends.